America’s farmers and ranchers are being challenged by an onslaught of regulations, guidance and other requirements being issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to Carl Shaffer, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

In a major court victory for the American Farm Bureau Federation and other farm organizations, a unanimous federal court of appeals has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot require livestock farmers to apply for Clean Water Act permits unless their farms actually discharge manure into U.S. waters.

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 — In honor of the hard work and commitment of America’s producers, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today recognized the nation’s farmers and ranchers — as part of National Ag Day — for the part they play in providing food, fiber and fuel to billions of people worldwide.

It doesn’t happen often in Congress these days, but the House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act. The legislation would make it clear that if pesticide users follow current law that regulates pesticide use, they would not also need an additional Clean Water Act permit.

Mary Kensok, a fourth-grade teacher at Central Cass School in Casselton is one of seven teachers, nationwide, being recognized by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture for their outstanding efforts to promote agricultural literacy.

The American Farm Bureau Federation supports legislation introduced on March 3 in both the House and the Senate that would preempt regulation of greenhouse gases by the Environmental Protection Agency based on climate change considerations.

The latest survey of participants in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program shows that America’s young farmers and ranchers are an optimistic lot. Results of the 19th annual YF&R survey reveal that 87 percent of those surveyed are more optimistic about farming and ranching than they were five years ago.

The American Farm Bureau Federation today urged House members to save farmers and ranchers the needless time and expense of complicated paperwork requirements associated with Form 1099 information reporting. By passing H.R. 4, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011, Congress can end the requirement.